Tyler says a fire-department-based ambulance service can generate $1.2 million for the city. Supporters of Delaware County EMS see the city's plan as an attack on the county ambulance service, which has operated in the city for 40 years and stands to lose most of its 16,000 annual runs inside the city limits.

Among the details from the city's RFP, which offers different scenarios depending on if the contractor just manages a city-staffed EMS or provides a self-contained ambulance service:

"The county has operated with three ambulances located within the city limits of Muncie," the city says in the RFP. "The city would like to double that amount to six ambulances." The ambulances would run out of city fire stations. (Jason Rogers, director of county EMS, said Tuesday the county service has five ambulances in service in Center Township except in instances of employee vacations or sickness. Rogers said ambulances stationed in Yorktown and Hamilton Township also cover small portions of Muncie.)

The city EMS would be "operated by the Muncie Fire Department or a contract for those services to be provided to its citizens through an independent third party. The city is seeking whichever avenue provides the best service to the city and its residents and the most advantageous financial proposal."

The "person or persons" contracted to operate EMS would report to Chief Bell and be under contract for at least one year. The contractor would be responsible for hiring, firing and insurance for the city EMS.

"Responders must provide a full fleet of ambulances, which would be a total of six vehicles, and locate them within existing city fire stations. ... Responses ... should be made with a focus on advising and training fire department management and staff with the intention of transferring full responsibility to a city-operated Fire-EMS within five years."

The winning bidder would "pledge to respond to approximately 14,000 requests for assistance in a calendar year within the city limits, and shall do so at least 90 percent of the time within a six minute response time."

Each of the six ambulances would have "at least one EMT and one paramedic" around the clock. "Specifically, there must be an ambulance stationed on each side of the railroad tracks to ensure response time capability."

An ordinance, introduced by Tyler, to create a city EMS was tabled by Muncie City Council at the mayor's request and expired after six months. No new ordinance has been filed with city council.

Keith Roysdon is the government watchdog reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5828 and kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com.